I FOUND A PRISTINE WONDER ISLAND RECENTLY!
Calling all keen holiday seekers who love beautiful beaches,
clear sea waters, captivating scuba diving or snorkeling experience,
interesting island-hopping scenery, some night activities and wide array of fresh seafood served by the seaside – I found an ideal place that fits the
description recently.
Koh Lipe, dubbed as “Robinson Crusoe” island by some travel
enthusiasts, is situated in the Andaman Sea, off South Thailand. To those who
have not been there before, I give my full thumbs up in recommending that you
should explore this wonder.
In a nutshell, I would describe my three-day-two-night visit
as memorable, especially in relation to the average cost per head of around
RM800. The charge covered all meals, accommodation and excursions in addition
to comfortable coach transportation and large speed boat ride to the island
destination.
I joined a group of more than 40 people who are residents of
Penang State, Malaysia. The itinerary organised by a private travel guide were
as follows in sequence:
DAY 1:
- - We began the journey in the coach before 7 am.
- -
After crossing the immigration check points at
the Malaysia-Thai border between Perlis State and Satun Province of the
neighbouring country, an early yummy Thai seafood lunch at Fasai beach
restaurant greatly satiated us. The dishes included fresh scallops in Thai
spicy sauce, large prawns, fish, crabs and clams. Hearty meal with a grand sea view (see pix No. 1). My rating for the meal: 4 out
of 5 stars.
-
- Boarded the speed boat at Tarutao Pier before 1
pm (see pix No. 2). The boat made short rest stops at two smaller islands before reaching Koh
Lipe around 3 pm.
- -
After checking into Mountain Resort, located on
a small mountain overlooking a private beach , it was left to individuals to
select their own activities until dinner time. Some went swimming, few young
guys indulged in scuba diving, the more senior in age either took a rest or cooled
themselves with chilled drinks.
-
-
- Dinner was variety Thai style.
- -
After dinner, we checked out the nearby village
beside another beach stretch, the main centre for relaxing night life scene
that also hosted many eateries and bars. Walking Street in the village offered
local cuisines, souvenirs, foodstuffs, recreation, beach-wears and desserts. Pattaya Beach,
at the end of Walking Street, provided some entertainment coupled with night
sea breeze for diners. Chit-chatting
over drinks and seafood supper set the blissful mood for our sound
slumber in the first night on the island.
DAY 2:
- -
Buffet breakfast at the resort.
-
- Island hopping tour and snorkeling. We were
ferried around by four motor boats.
-
- Had pre-packed lunch on an uninhabited small island.
-
- Visited the mystical island of black rocks.
Instead of sand, it is filled with smooth shiny black rocks. We were allowed to
feel but prohibited by the local conservation law to take back some as
souvenirs.
- -
Returned to Mountain Resort at about 4 pm for rest. My close pals and I cooled off our body heat by "flushing" in
ice-chilled beer under shade from the sun.
- -
Dinner time: Fresh seafood BBQ style served in chilli-hot
sauces in a popular restaurant at Walking Street.
-
- Easy stroll on Pattaya Beach to trigger faster
digestion of the BBQ seafood feast. A romantic sight awaited us as we gazed at
couples sprawling close to each other on easy chairs lined along the beach
silhouetted by moonlight while enjoying drinks served by bars. There was also a
fire dance performance. A few bars had live bands playing soothing ballads.
-
- To end the night, the late night birds among us played card games after adjourning back to the resort. We also finished our stock
of drinks brought from Penang.
DAY 3:
-
- Early breakfast.
- -
Left Koh Lipe by 9 am for Tarutao Pier.
-
- The coach journey back to Penang first made a
lunch cum shopping stop at Tesco hypermarket in Satun. Many carted loads of household
goods into the coach because the prices there were significantly cheaper
compared to the same stuffs sold in Malaysia.
-
- Left Tesco at 2.30 pm.
-
- Arrived Penang by 7 pm.
All of us had no problem of communicating with the locals
there. Most of them could at least speak simple Malay and/or English. In fact,
some were quite eloquent in conversing English with us.
Special Notes: For
Malaysians residing in Kuala Lumpur (KL) who wish to explore the “wonder”
island, the more convenient way is via flight (AirAsia) to Hatyai, Thailand and
then by a shorter road journey to head for the boat ride. This option avoids
the extra hours of commuting between KL and Penang as the first leg of the
entire journey.
Our private guide was very accommodating and caring. He
could converse eloquently in Thai, English, Malay, a few Chinese dialects. He
is Malaysian, stationed in Penang. Calling my friends in Malaysia – if you are
keen to explore Koh Lipe and need a private guide, call him 012-4995900. Name: Branee (I hope I have spelled his name correctly). Halal
food for Muslims can be arranged by him too.
THE END
